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Tesvolt and Africa Green Tec to provide solar power to 250,000 Malians

Tesvolt and Africa Green Tec to provide solar power to 250,000 Malians

By Jess Shanahan.Nov 28, 2016, 11:34AM

The German firm Tesvolt, which manufactures commercial storage systems, has entered into an exclusive cooperation agreement with the start-up Africa Green Tec. Tesvolt is supplying lithium storage systems for 50 solar containers with a total capacity of 3 megawatt-hours (MWh), enabling a reliable power supply in 25 villages in Mali. The 40-foot containers each have a 37–45 kWp photovoltaic system and a 60 kWh battery storage system and provide energy for €0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Before, the villagers had to pay up to €1.50 per kWh for energy produced by expensive diesel generators, or they had no access to power at all.

The first solar container with a Tesvolt storage system is being set up in the village of Djoliba, south of the capital Bamako. By the end of 2018 all 25 villages should be supplied with solar power. The costs of €150,000 per container are initially being financed by crowdfunding and will later be covered by a loan.

Increasing productivity using stored solar energy

Thanks to Tesvolt’s storage systems, the villagers will be able to use solar power not only for around nine hours during the day, but also after dusk from around 6 to 10pm. Electric light makes it possible to work in the evening when it’s cooler – during the day the temperature is around 45°C in the shade. It also makes it possible to work in two shifts, which helps local small business owners to increase their added value.

Large storage systems for challenging service environments

Simon Schandert, Director of Engineering at Tesvolt, says: “The project demonstrates the potential of solar power and storage systems in particular in remote areas of the world that aren’t connected to the power grid. Our storage systems can be used anywhere and have a long service life. This is thanks to intelligent control of each individual battery cell, which ensures that the systems are charged and discharged optimally. So naturally they’re an attractive option for locations that are hard to access, where the technology needs to be long lasting.”

The cooling the systems require, with outdoor temperatures reaching 50°C in the shade, is carried out by a special system, which also runs on solar power. The containers can be fitted with additional components, for example to filter contaminated water.

Not only is solar power is much cheaper, cleaner and quieter than the diesel that was used previously, it means that the villagers will no longer be dependent on the diesel supply. This will help to reduce costs within the villages and improve working conditions.

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